Avalanch beacon use in Firefighter location

[midwestmountain1]

Drager, a company that produces air packs, now has a firefighter locating beacon. It looks identical to a BCA tracker dts beacon, with a different sticker of course. If you think our beacons are expensive, how about $450 for this one. I assume that since it is for firefighters and must be tested through NIOSH it would be a little more expensive, but 2x as much ouch. check it out on the Drager website, FRT 1000.

Lets give thanks that we dont have to pay 2x as much for outdated technology!

 

[backcountryislife]

The only thing I can think is that they somehow changed the programming so that it's more capable of dealing with the confusion that metal wiring, plumbing, and other household items give to a beacon.

That's obviously a tracker 1 though!

 

[smoking_powerstroke]

for those that do not want to search

 

[The Fourth Wolf]

call me a cynic but firefighters are usually some kind of government employee. Gummint got deep pockets and everything marketed to government agencies gets marked up...R&D costs and whatnot, ahem.

 

[xc6rider]

The cost with most all fire PPE (personal protective equipment) lies within it's testing and certifications as questioned. Also, most manufacturer's have extremely high liability concerns and i'm sure that plays a role in expense.

As far as a beacon, they may look virtually the same, but I'd bet they are built much different. I doubt many beacons used in avy terrain would withstand 500F + temps, and I'd bet 500 would be lowest on the testing range.

We also have helmet cams in the fire service, essentially the same as a contour HD, but once again, developed to withstand extreme heat etc..

Beacons are a great idea in the fire service, and I'd bet within ten years our SCBA will all have integrated beacon functions. Sure hope I'd never have to use it!

 

[snorider075]

I know newer scotts have that type of technology were comand can see who is where with in the structure that is preplanned into our cad system. Like you said its super expensive.

 

[volcano buster]

Still cheaper than a funeral.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

BCA started the beacon for firefighters under "Exit Technologies". I believe they then sold it off to Draeger.
http://www.exit-technologies.com/

I'm pretty sure it still uses the same frequency (457kHz) as an avalanche beacon.

 

[waycooljr]

I think I can speak for all FireFighter Personnel when I say this. "I don't care how damned expensive the equipment is, when I am standing there donning my PPE to travel away from my family, and enter your emergency to save your family, I wanna know that I have the best damn equipment on that money can buy. Because when I am done with your emergency, I wanna return home to two small smiles, with very large hugs, and one relieved wife"!! But, I do like the where this tracker thing is going. Hopefully it would be nice to have an audible alarm like PASS devices do. DOUBLE PROTECTION!!

 

[midwestmountain1]

The tracker is to be used as an add on system, not connected to your PASS device. Our department recenty got new SCOTT packs. Our new packs have a tracking system built into the integrated PASS device. I think the tracker system is a good add on band-aid for short term, however I think any department that is upgrading their packs should be looking for a integrated PASS/ tracking device.

I just thought it was interesting that something from my recreational world was passing into my professional world.